Here are some Frequently Asked Questions which can be answered right here on our website.

You can go to the page either via the main page and left option panel,
or by clicking on the "Click Here" text within the answer

Q: How big is the sanctuary?

A: Gentleshaw is a small rescue centre. We have over 100 residents of various species but we are not a large zoo. Also on site is a tearoom, miniature train, garden centre and playground and mini golf. So you can spend a nice afternoon here.
Other attractions are separate business, please call the garden centre for details on prices / opening hours. 01785 851057

Q: Do you do flying displays?

A: The birds are exercised daily, The birds are flown either as part of a pre booked experience (see gift ideas) , for their own exercise or as part of a display. The birds are flown (weather permitting) at 2pm weekends and school holidays from February to October.
If you particularly want to see the birds flying, please call the sanctuary first. We are not a falconry centre, and please remember we are a volunteer run rescue centre, so times and availability may vary!

Q: Is the sanctuary under cover?

A: Nope! , we have a small classroom / reptile area which is inside but most of our little sanctuary is outside. If it’s raining, best bring an umbrella ... and your wellies!

Q: Do you re home any of your animals?

A: We rarely re home any of the more exotic animals we take in as many require licensed homes, and alternative homes would have to be able to provide better and larger enclosures before we would consider letting them go.
However, due to our small size, we can neither taken in, or permanently house every animal we get asked to care for. Therefore we do re home reptiles and birds of prey.
If you would like to offer a home, please email the sanctuary and we will send you a rehoming application form.
Homes are vetted and you must be able to show you can care for the animal. Most commonly looking for homes are European eagle owls, Barn owls, Corn snakes, Bearded dragons and terrapins.
Contact us to see who’s looking for a home.
If you ARE interested in providing a safe, secure and permanent home, you may choose to download our rehoming formHERE (pdf).

Q: Can we bring our dog?

A: Dogs are permitted in the garden centre but NOT into the sanctuary. Our residents are used to our own canine staff (whom you will meet on your visit) but are wary of strange dogs. Please call in advance if you have a an assistance dog.

Q: Do you offer group discounts / free carers admission?

A: Raising funds for the charity run sanctuary is a constant battle. In order to help us cover ours costs and keep everyone’s admission as low as possible, we do not offer discounts on our already low admission or free admissions for groups or carers.

Q: Can we feed the animals?

A: Gentleshaw is home to a variety of exotic / wild animals and birds of prey. Their specialist diets mean we do not allow general members of the public to feed them.

Q: Do you have any vacancies / do you take on work experience?

A: We do not employ and staff. Please refer to our Volunteer section from the 'Contact Us' section - Click Here

Q: Are you open to the public / What are your admission fees / what are your opening times?

A: Please refer to the 'About Us' page - Click Here

Q: What animals do you have?

A: Take a look around our Gallery pages, (Click Here), for some of our residents.
Not all our residents are on there, so why not come along and see our birds and animals for yourselves?
Note that we do not provide a list of every individual animal and species at the centre, but the gallery pages should show you the diverse range of available you will see when you come to visit us.

TALKS / GROUP VISITS

Q: Can schools / Birthday Parties and Groups come and visit the centre?

A: Yes, we have a small classroom available for visiting schools or groups, home schooling, WI, Brownies, Guide, Scouts, Colleges etc. We are able to cater for around 30 people on a visit.
The cost is £7.00 per person with teachers or supervising adults being free. (minimum 10 at £7, max 6 free adults per 30 paying)
The cost includes entry to the sanctuary, activity packs for younger visitors and a keeper talk. The keeper talk includes seeing up close some of our birds of prey and other residents. There is also the opportunity to handle a birds of prey during pre booked visits..

Duration of your visit can be anything from an hour and
the content of your visit can be tailored to fit in with your subject.
(Nocturnal, rainforests, predators , rehabilitation, animal collections, rescue etc).

Children's parties at the centre £7.00 per child (minimum 10 children) 2 adults free (extra adults usual admission fee)
A 30 minute presentation , meet some of the animals up close. Each child will get to hold a bird of prey.

Please note: Group visits must be pre booked.

Q: Do you do school talks / Is there a fee for your talks?

A: We also offer :

School Talks : £120 for up to 2 x 45 minute sessions / half a day (plus mileage)
or £220 for up to 4 x 45 minute sessions / whole day (plus mileage) we bring along 4 different birds of prey and a reptile and / or a skunk. The talk lasts 45 minutes and can be tailored to your subject / age group.

Other group talks : such as local societies, guide groups, WI, youth club): £100 (plus mileage ) ( sorry, we no longer offer evening visits)

Mileage is charged at 45p per mile.
All displays are covered by insurance and any required licenses. These are a legal requirement of anyone using animals for talks or demonstrations.
We no longer offer static displays for shows or fetes, we do however have companies we can recommend for such displays.
More information is available from the Centre

Q: Do you do Bird Of Prey Experiences?

As Of Feb. 2022, due to the backlog caused by Covid, we are not currently offering new vouchers.
Thank you for your understanding.

Q: Can you donate a raffle prize to our cause?

A: Bear in mind we are ourselves a registered charity. We cannot afford to donate items to all of the many requests we receive. You can purchase admission tickets or bird of prey experiences from ourselves and use those as raffle prizes for your own fundraiser, helping 2 good causes . However if you are looking for free donations, you would be best contacting businesses rather than a charity to seek contributions.